Cancer Rundown: Cowboys raise money for research

Cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation saddled up Saturday morning and prepared to rope in hundreds of thousands of dollars to support New Mexico's largest cancer fundraiser on the first day of the annual Cowboys for Cancer Research team roping competition. When not atop their horses, teams of cowboys and cowgirls wearing pink shirts, hats and bandanas, challenged fellow ropers and spectators to match their donations to Cowboys for Cancer Research, which is hosting its 29th annual roping competition, held each October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As many as 1,400 teams are expected to compete in this year's two-day roping competition, said Denny Calhoun, the organization's co-executive director. Drawing in a similar number of supporters for last year's event, the organization raised nearly $805,000 in cash and in-kind donations to support cancer research conducted at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center and New Mexico State University. In total, Cowboys for Cancer Research has raised more than $2 million to help combat the deadly disease, making the annual event "the largest cancer fundraiser in New Mexico where all proceeds stay in the state," Calhoun said. "We are thrilled with the tremendous support we've received over the years."...more